The Stovepipe is one of the most unique and
visually stunning folding knives Spyderco has ever produced. A
collaboration with acclaimed custom knifemaker David Rydbom, it
faithfully translates the spirit and meticulous attention to detail of
his handcrafted knives into a one-of-a-kind production folder.
David
Rydbom is an accomplished artist and professional knifemaker with a
deep commitment to creating heirloom-quality works of art. A former
custom home builder, he is also an avid big-game hunter, fisherman, and
world traveler who has collected and used knives since he was a child.
He made his first knife, a skinner, in 2007, because he could not find
one that met his needs in the field. That knife soon led to many others
and a year later he became a full-time knifemaker.
Unlike many
knifemakers who learned their skills as apprentices, Rydbom is entirely
self-taught and works hard to maintain the purity of his own artistic
style. He actually canceled his subscriptions to knife magazines to
avoid being influenced by other makers' designs. Instead, he draws
inspiration from his study of art history, particularly the American
Arts & Crafts movement, and is obsessed with creating pieces that
are crafted to last. In Rydbom's words, "I am what I would consider a
generational craftsman. Whatever I build, whether that be a home, a
knife, a piece of furniture, or a hand thrown piece of pottery… it all
needs to be functional, beautiful, and built with long-lasting quality
in mind. I want these things to become family heirlooms, passed on and
on long after I'm gone."
Powered by that mindset, Rydbom
specializes in "tactical dress" folding knives with a unique design
flair that marries the sweeping curves and organic shapes of nature with
the hard lines of human engineering. He focuses on the stock-removal
method of knifemaking and handcrafts every one of his distinctive
creations in his shop in Ashland, Oregon under the business name
Kingdom Armory.
"Bill the Butcher"
One of
Rydbom's most popular custom designs is known as "The Butcher." First
designed in 2009, it was inspired by the film Gangs of New York and its
depiction of the notorious historical figure William Poole, aka "Bill
the Butcher." Its blade, which resembles a classic straight razor or
butcher's cleaver, is also reminiscent of the razor-pattern folding
knives made after the Civil War. The shallow scallop at the tip of these
knives' blades could be hooked on the lip of a pocket or other handy
surface, allowing the many one-armed veterans of the era to open their
knives with only one hand.
Arguably one of the earliest examples
of the now-popular "cleaver-style" blade, "The Butcher" attracted
considerable attention from seasoned knife collectors, including members
of the Spyderco Internet Forum. In 2010, a Forumite posted a photo of
an example of "The Butcher" and piqued the interest of Spyderco
co-founder Sal Glesser. Sal reached out to Rydbom and started a
dialogue, but it wasn't until 2017 that they discussed the project in
earnest and Rydbom provided a sample of the design. Sal and his son Eric
Glesser were extremely impressed by its distinctiveness and Rydbom's
flawless craftsmanship and quickly suggested a formal collaboration.
Rydbom, whose investment-quality knives often end up in safes instead of
pockets, embraced the idea of working with Spyderco to create a more
user-oriented expression of his design.
The Stovepipe
The
Spyderco Stovepipe draws its name from the "stovepipe" top hat that
William Poole often wore. Historically fitting, while significantly less
aggressive than the knife's original moniker, its name is the only
significant compromise Spyderco made in adapting Rydbom's exquisite
custom design to factory production.
The heart of the Stovepipe
is its stout, cleaver-style blade, which is crafted from CPM-20CV—an
advanced powder metallurgy stainless steel that contains a high volume
of vanadium carbides and the highest amount of chromium of any
vanadium-rich stainless steel currently available. This state-of-the-art
blend of alloys gives CPM-20CV a remarkable combination of high wear
resistance, superior corrosion resistance, and good impact toughness.
The straight-edged blade is precision machined from 4mm (0.157-inch)
stock. Although the thick stock provides excellent heft and strength, it
is balanced by a deep hollow grind that ensures outstanding edge
geometry and low-friction cutting performance. The wide blade allows its
Trademark Round Hole to be easily accessible for ambidextrous,
one-handed opening while maintaining a straight spine. Machined details
above the blade hole add a touch of class and provide a textured thumb
purchase for enhanced control. Deep scallops on the blade's spine and
tip further accentuate its style and ensure exceptional point utility
for a cleaver-style blade.
The Stovepipe's handle is constructed
from two slabs of solid titanium joined by a titanium backspacer. Both
scales are painstakingly machined to create a beautifully crowned
surface on the outside and a stylish yet ergonomic profile. The
reverse-side scale forms the foundation of the knife's stout Reeve
Integral Lock (R.I.L.) mechanism, which locks the blade securely open
during use. It is also home to a machined titanium clip that provides
convenient right-side, tip-up carry. The clip, scales, backspacer, and
blade all boast a no-nonsense, industrial-style stonewashed finish. This
stands in contrast to the knife's oversized pivot pin, which is
machined with artistic details, brightly satin finished, and serves
double duty as an overtravel stop for the lock bar.
The Stovepipe
is a truly remarkable folding knife that faithfully captures the spirit
and painstaking craftsmanship of David Rydbom's custom creation.
Spyderco is extremely proud of it and excited to add it to the their
product line.
Specifications
- Blade Length: 2.78"
- Handle Length: 4.00"
- Overall Length: 6.75"
- Blade Thickness: 0.157"
- Blade Material: CPM-20CV Stainless Steel
- Blade Style: Cleaver
- Blade Grind: Hollow
- Blade Finish: Dark Stonewash
- Handle Material: Dark Stonewash Titnaium
- Locking Mechanism: Reverse Integral Lock
- Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right Carry
- Weight: 4.9 oz.
- Made in Taiwan